Yes, we like eBikes, and you might like one, too.
We here at Cronometro tend to have a narrow focus when it comes to our product offerings, so sometimes customers are a little surprised to learn that we stock, sell, and enjoy ebikes. It’s not difficult to imagine a shop like ours, with most of our sales and service are centered on performance road, triathlon and gravel bikes, turning up our noses at the idea of getting a little help up that really tough climb on our favorite route. It’s still a divisive issue among cyclists, and ebikes are certainly an appreciably different machine. Here’s the thing, though: we think ebikes are rad.
Which one of these is not like the others?
I think some of the hate ebikes get, particulalry road ebikes, comes from some simple misconceptions. Firstly, most ebikes aren’t motorcycles; you can’t just coast along all day and let the motor do the work. Instead, ebike systems are designed to augment the power you produce. Depending on the settings, ebikes will add a certain amount of power to that which you yourself are producing, e.g. 20%, until you reach a certain speed limit that removes assistance. And, when you coast, that assistance drops down to zero (20% of 0 Watts of human power is… 0 Watts). While there are different classes of ebikes, most that we offer fall into Class 1, which cease to assist pedaling above 20 miles per hour.
We typically sell ebikes of two different varieties: road ebikes like the Colnago E64 and Scott Addict eRide, as well as city ebikes like the Civia North Loop. In fact, as I write this, we happen to have good inventory of North Loops which, at $2,199 MSRP, are a pretty sweet bargain. Ebikes can vary in battery and motor size and levels of assistance provided, but most offer selectable modes that allow you to balance how much help the bike provides with how long your battery lasts before its charge is depleted.
In our view, city ebikes are a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t like a little extra push when commuting to work, or on a trip to the store for some groceries? It’s great to bike to many places and arrive without getting sweaty along the way, not to mention the fact that ebikes of just about any category are just plain fun. Most city ebike trips are also short enough that battery “range” isn’t much of a factor.
Road ebikes tend to be a touchier subject; some people consider ebikes to be “cheating” when it comes to road riding, to which I respond “Cheating at what?” They aren’t allowed in traditional racing disciplines unless it’s an event specifically for ebikes, and it’s not likely to go unnoticed if someone is riding an ebike in your next group ride (whenever we get to do those again). Which scenario sounds better to you: feeling superior to someone by predictably dropping them on a climb, or the comradery of a friend and fellow cyclist who normally rides at a pace incongruous with the rest of a faster group? If I’ve learned anything from this year, it’s that I’d rather be able to ride together.
One additional consideration that road ebikes typically present is the range of the battery, which varies depending on the selected assistance mode. Many of us like long road rides, but a road ebike with a dead battery isn’t nearly as much fun. You’ll have a good time if you’re aware of your ebikes’s range for each mode, and monitor the battery level while riding. Oh, and plug it in to charge right away when you get home, so you always have a topped-off battery before every ride!
If you’re curious about ebikes, or want to take one for a test ride, give us a call or stop on by. We’re happy to help!